Colonial Creek Estuary

Estuaries, Pacific Northwest

Colonial Creek Estuary, Photo By Bud Logan

Colonial Creek estuary flows into the Neroutsos inlet at its southern end, just past the town of Port Alice. The estuary is a great place for wildlife viewing. You have a good chance of seeing deer, elk, black bears and cougars along with incredible bird watching opportunities. The eagles here are an incredible sight and during the herring runs in the last days of winter is the best time to view them.

In late September, early October the salmon return to Colonial creek and you can see them along with the black bears then, an awesome experience. The drive through this estuary is pretty amazing, lots of birds visit here and many more are residents, there is great fishing in the creek when the sea runs head up and the chance to see black bears here is awesome.

Port Alice, Photo By Forrest Logan

The town of Port Alice has accommodation, restaurants, a golf coarse you won’t believe and some of the best fishing on the west coast, both salt and fresh water fishing.

The inlet is a great place to explore by kayak and the sights you will see will simple amaze you. There are so many areas to head off to from Port Alice, places like the Marble River Marine park, only accessible by boat and incredible beautiful. Be sure to stop at Quotsino for lunch, the hotel here has been in operation for more than 100 years and still is going strong.

The salmon fishing out in the waters in front of the estuary can be very productive, and if its lake fishing you like, there are some very well stocked lakes to drop a line in that are not very far from the estuary. All in all, this is a great place to visit.